Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-07-22
LIQUOR MEN IN COUNCIL.
Red-TIot Resolutions Against
Legislation that is denounc-
ed as Unjust and out
of Date.

State Liquor League concluded its
third annual meeting in this city this
afternoon. While other important
business occupied the the attention
of the League the letter of resigna-
ton of Colonel Keller continued to
the hour of adjournment the leading
topic of talk, and when the letter was
brought before the convention this
morning it was decided to merely re-
ceive it. Some were in favor of re-
turning the letter to Colonel Keller
and there was for time very lively
interchange of views, mostly of a
kind unfavorabIe to the Colonel. His
friends contended that the expression
of his letter as to being constantly
"antagonized by an element in the
organization bent upon setting all
laws at defiance" did not refer to any
members of this convention, but re-
lated to certain members of the con-
vention last year who were endeav-
oring to iDjure it. This morning the
newly elected officers were installed
and as each was indicted to Office he
made speech thanking the ccnven-
ton for the honor conferred.
Secretary Fleishman in scathiDg
terms referred to some of the bad ele-
ment which surrounds the League
and which has hindered it's success.
Considerable time was consumed by
the reading of letters and communl-
cations from other organizations.
These were referred to the proper
committees. The reports of the ex-
ecutiye committee and the committee
on organization were received and
approved. The per capita tax On
members of the League was liked at
81, same as last year. At the after.
noon session committee consisting of
President Heckler, Vice Presidents
Schmidt and Nakel and Michael
Kress, of Allegheny Thomas Tracey,
Of Reading, and James Cunningham
and John FreiliDg, of Philadelphia,
was appointed to confer with the
Brewers and Wholesale Dealers AS.
sociatioD, which meets at Harrisburg
in September. The question of the
expediency of contesting the validity
of the high license law was remanded
to the committee and to await action
of the Harrisburg convention. 1t
was the unanimous sentiment OF the
League, however. that the law is un-
constitutional and that it will be
tested.
The new executive committee re-
elected as State collector Emanuel
Furtb, of Philadelphia, over b. Bry-
son McCool, of Pottsville, who re-
ceived only four votes. 1t was de-
cided to prepare plans for forming
local leagues in Armstrong, Butler,
Cambria, Columbia, Northumber-
land and Wayne counties, and dele
gates were appointed to the work Of
organizing. 1t was decided to hold
the next annual convention of the
League at Harrisburg on the second
Tuesday of July.
A RED-HoT DELIvERANCE BY THE
LEAGUES COMMITTEE ON REsoLU-
TIONs
ALLENTOWN, July 13.-The COM
mittee on resolutions of the State
Liquor League was in session four
hours and had considerable discussion
before it evolved the following, which
was unanimously adopted
"The State Liquor League, in the
third annual convention assembled,
unhesitatiDgly reaffirms its abiding
faith in the cardinal principles which
govern it's existence. 1t will continue
TO labor for the elevation and protec.
tion Of those engaged in the liquor
traffic and seek to preserve inviol ate
those doctrines of personal liberty
with which our institutions and gov
ernments were founded and sustain
ed, but which have lately been per-
verted to pander to the views of
small minority of our fellow citizens
who seek to control the reasonable en-.
ioymcnt Of the masses. At the close
Of century noted for it's progress in
al the arts and sciences, without
parallel in liberty Of thought and ac-
tion, at the clamorous request Of
iew zealots and upon the score of po-
itical expedicncy, legislation is en-
acted which reviyes and extends the
blue laws Of former times. Laws
illed with unjust, inequitable and un-
provisions. The sacred
precincts OF home are invaded and the
liepensation Of the rites Of hospitality
ipon the Sabbath day is made q
rhine. The judiciary Of the State Of
Pennsylvania are charged with du-
les and clothed with power utterly
" variance with their Office and sub
,ersive Of every principle of liberty |
ind justice. The right OF appeal from
he judgment Of single individual
INVOLVING the character and property
If an applicant for license ia denied,
md when the license is obtained 1t is
It the mercy Of the malignity. hatred
md caprice Of every citizen who cares
o feel himself aggricved, or the
ighteous indignation Of the hireling,
py and informer who plies his ne.
arious trade on the day consccrated
o the Lord. The revenues obtained
rom this alleged abominable traffic
n liquors, though grossly excessive
md out Of all proportion to any other
pecies Of taxation, are expected to
well the treasures of the various
owns. boroughs and cities Of the
Commonwealth and thus greatly re-
luce the tax rate Of those who, with
everely moral countenances, have
demanded high license
"Tbe league proclaims itself law
Ibiding organization, In favor Of good
license laws and their impartial en-
orcement, but it protests against the
'buse Of the discretion lodged in the
ourta, whereby many Judges are
,crmitted to refuge any licenses what
oever within their respective dis.
riots, though all the requirements Of
he law have been complied with.
Such action is a travcsty upon the
exercise of Discretionary power and
sc ask the Legislature to 40 define
he rights of applicants for license
hat they will be readily recognized
nd conceded. Shacklcd by hostile